Skip to main content

Featured

The Cotswold Christmas Bookshop by Jill Steeples #Review

I am delighted to feature another novel by Jill Steeples set in the Cotswolds. The Cotswold Christmas Bookshop, a   festive story , was published on August 31st by Boldwood Books. Isla Stewart has a glittering publishing career in London, but when she’s unexpectedly made redundant, she faces an uncertain future. Licking her wounds, Isla heads home to the Cotswolds. Keeping her devastating redundancy a secret from her proud parents, she seeks refuge at Finch’s, the enchanting bookshop she worked in as a teenager. With the owners struggling with their health, Isla steps in to manage the shop hoping to convince them that the business has a future. Isla likes nothing more than chatting to people about books, but her safe haven is soon disturbed when she comes face-to-face with her first love, Charlie Brace, made worse by the arrival of Guy Madley, the incredibly handsome property consultant who has advice for owners Jon and Miriam. As Christmas approaches, Isla has decisions...
Post a Comment
Read more
Labels

One French Summer by Gillian Harvey #Review

 

Today we are returning to France for another warm, uplifting read by Gillian Harvey. One French Summer was publlished by Boldwood Books on 14th February.

 
Only child out of the house – so far out that she’s gone all the way to Australia! A husband, who has requested a break. Life isn’t quite going as planned for Katy.

She’s suddenly at a loss, but she still has her friends Sam, Vicky and Ivy. The girls have been there for her through thick and they’re not about to stop now. However, they think Katy might need more than boot camp . . . so they kidnap her and head off to France on a last minute retreat.

Can a reset give her a new lease on life or help her win back her husband? Or could there be a new love in her life?

She went for a holiday, but it could become the start of a second chance . . .


 My Thoughts

You get to escape to France along with Katy after her friends decide that a time away is what is needed, after a shock which has left her reeling. Friendship emerges as a major theme in the story, both old friends and new. By chance, it seems that Katy and her friends have happened upon a rather special community and one which gives Katy some space to think about the future. 

    The beautiful French countryside is a lovely setting to the story. There are plenty of funny episodes as Katy's art retreat holiday develops. Some of the characters raise a smile but they are all likeable ( with maybe one exception). Katy, when faced with an empty nest, takes a good look at her future and by the end of the story, we have faith that she is going to make some good decisions. 

In short: an engaging and lighthearted read


About the Author

Gillian Harvey is a freelance journalist and the author of two well-reviewed women’s fiction novels published by Orion. She has lived in Limousin France for the past twelve years, from where she derives the inspiration and settings for her books. Her first title for Boldwood A Year at the French Farmhouse will be published in September 2022.

You can follow Gillian here: Facebook

  |  Twitter   |  Instagram  |  Bookbub

Book link:Amazon UK

Thanks to Gilliam Harvey, Boldwood Books and Rachel of Rachel's Random Resources for a copy of the book and a place on the event.

 
Check out these great bloggers!
 
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment